Sparkle & Shine — What About Gift-Cards? — Wear-Give-Get — Deck The Halls!My head is all in a scramble…too much going on and I’m a bit overwhelmed by the current to do list...I’ve yet to gift-shop and I have to schedule a photo shoot for the now completed capsule collection, (sneak-peeks will follow). But I really want to give you something useful and fun in this post, not to mention a bit of inspiration… So, let’s go!

We could ALL use a bit sparkle now — Am I right? Be it subtle or not so, whatever floats your inner shine boat ;-) What have you been wearing lately and what do you want...to wear, that is? Are you into the, newly named, cocktail-boot? (See 90’s timberland-style chunky work-boots that are now de rigueur w/fancy frocks) — Can you dig it? Are you into all the quirky, funky, nerdy embellishment looks a la Gucci or Dolce & Gabbana? Or are you a ‘less is more’ kind of gal, that only requires just a little something-something? Maybe just some bolder color choices. (Let me know your comments below!) I honestly like it all — there’s a time and place for all of it to work fabulously. Lately though, I’ve fallen into a bit of a fashion doll-drum. I’ve neglected my style, wearing pretty much jeans with sweaters almost all the time, or when going out, I just throw on a dress with boots and a cardigan or jacket. Cute & easy, but getting boring. (Its like my other clothes don’t exist and I can’t be bothered with putting ‘looks’ together.) Which is why I need some oomph back into putting myself together. How about you folks? Is wearing a tiara going too far? You tell me. Maybe a sparkly brooch - brooches clustered together - multi strands of bold necklaces - something with beading or sequins, vibrant silk items, along with some unexpected re-arranging of standard ensembles…Voila! - Fabulous for the season.

Here, some ideas and suggestions on adding a bit of oomph to your look. I know they're dresses, but it's insta-glam with just one piece. (Feel free to wear separates instead.) Some are archive, some one of a kind, some made to order — but all of them will serve you long and well no matter when you buy and wear them. A little beading — A bit of sparkle — Go explore...there's much more in store...and tell us what you found.Note: don’t be afraid to wear cotton in fall-winter, those rules are over and done with, especially if you live in a warmer climate. If these singular one of a kind pieces fit you, grab them! They are truly a bargain. Also, I know “Ugly Christmas Sweaters” are trending…but seriously…no.

Incentive: 10% OFF shop-wide. Use Code: THANKYOU10 - Good for both our shops*

GIVE LOVE + these: I didn’t mention this in the Holiday Commerce blog, but I am a fan of gift-cards, good ones. Some say they lack imagination, are boring, impersonal, etc…They can be all that, but if you select them consciously and specifically, they make great, practical, useful gifts for certain people — Perfect last minute gifts too — May I suggest Etsy gift cards: etsy.com/giftcards. There’s so much great stuff to see and buy, really, something for almost anyone. Heck, I have two Etsy shops, (Bridal & Spectator & SpeakeasyBoutique) and I’d love to get an Etsy gift card, as well as give them. (Shameless, I know) My point, if the gift-card fits, give it.

We already covered artisanal food-gifts in the last blog, (THE HOLIDAYS & ARTFUL COMMERCE) and they make great last minute gifts. So let’s talk about baubles and trinkets a little more. Things like Vintage brooches, handmade pins — are fast-easy-fabulous, as a gift and for yourself, they add a perfect touch of sparkle to your ensemble. — Cluster a few together for a creative ‘more is more’ look. I also love other vintage baubles, like earrings (easy), necklaces, and rings (a bit trickier maybe because of sizing). And let’s not forget Scarfs! I know I mentioned them in the last blog, but they’re great gifts and people love to have a variety of them. (Check out my niece in one of our fab liberty scarfs, below, she’s already a serious style-maven.)

IDEAS: Scour Etsy for some fabulous trinkets*

When it comes to shopping, we small biz artisans and makers cannot very well compete with the big retailers. It’s not possible, so why even try? Instead, what we offer is something uniquely different, handmade, labored over with love, specially curated, not factory-farmed and that we hope the big guys won’t knock-off too fast. We collectively hope (fingers crossed) you will enjoy our products, support our work, and feel good about it! Even a little conscious commerce can go a long way. Shopping small has a big ripple effect…